Category Archives: Featured

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows delayed again while Ubisoft feels lost

While the pressure is on for what’s next for Ubisoft after being challenged in all fronts, including gamers, shareholders and analyst, its management including Yves Guillemot, knows that the gaming world is not oblivious of any of the current situations an possible outcomes.

But things could be escalating as Ubisoft announced that a second delay for its highly-anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, was unavoidable.

Originally set to release on February 14, 2025, the game’s release date has now been pushed to March 20, 20252. This is the second delay for the game, which was initially scheduled to launch in November 2024.

Ubisoft stated that the delay is to allow developers more time to polish the game and incorporate player feedback. The company has been continually checking player feedback from the community and making changes accordingly. The additional time will help create the best conditions for launch by continuing to engage closely with the Assassin’s Creed community.

Ubisoft’s decision to delay the game is also seen as a strategic move to ensure that Assassin’s Creed Shadows becomes a bona-fide hit, potentially attracting more buyers if the company decides to sell.

The game is described as “the biggest entry in the franchise” and is expected to set a new standard for the series.

In the background, this is Ubisoft gaining some time

Before the delay announcement, Ubisoft issued a press release where CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that the company has hired top international management consulting firms to explore strategic and capital options for the company’s future.

This move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at unlocking greater value for Ubisoft’s assets and franchises.

We made good progress on the strategic and execution reviews initiated a few months ago and are confident that this will position Ubisoft for a stronger future. We have taken decisive steps to reshape the Group in order to deliver best-in-class player experiences, enhance operational efficiency and maximize value creation. We also recently appointed leading advisors and are actively exploring various strategic and capitalistic options to unlock the full value potential of our assets. We are convinced that there are several potential paths to generate value from Ubisoft’s assets and franchises.

Additionally, we are all behind our teams’ efforts to create the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed opus of the franchise and made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months that will enable us to fully deliver on the potential of the game and finish the year on a strong note.

Guillemot emphasized that the goal is to pursue various transformational strategic and capitalistic options to extract the best value for stakeholders.

The decision to hire consultants comes amid rumors of a potential sale of the company and it is a normal move when higher ups are unsure what to do next and/or cannot foresee if a new idea will actually be a success or not and how to prepare for either scenarios.

Reportedly, Ubisoft has been in discussions with several potential buyers, including Chinese giant Tencent, which is already a major shareholder. The company is also looking to drive significant cost reductions and adopt a highly selective approach to investments.

Breaking, CES 2025, Events, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 Family announced

The rumors are now over at Nvidia side and we are in the new generation of GeForce RTX with GeForce RTX 50 family and debuting are the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, GeForce RTX 5080, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and the GeForce RTX 5070 which were presented at Nvidia’s turn at the main stage of CES 2025.

Lets start with the GeForce RTX 5090 and this of course and for yet another generation without Blackwell architecture being a difference, the flagship.

The GeForce RTX 5090 includes 32GB of GDDR7, a memory bandwidth of 1,792GB/sec, and a massive 21,760 CUDA cores and the bad news is that the GPU card will consume up to 575 watts and Nvidia recommends using PSU with 1000 watts as minimum.

That’s 125 watts more than the RTX 4090, but Nvidia justifies it as precisely, the 5090 doubles its predecessor’s performance.

The GeForce RTX 5090 will have a Founder Edition or the reference that Nvidia sells directly to customer.

Next, the GeForce RTX 5080 which will be aimed directly to consumer 4K gaming resolution, include 16GB of GDDR7 memory, a memory bandwidth of 960GB/sec, and 10,752 CUDA cores. The RTX 5080 will have a total graphics power of 360 watts and Nvidia is recommending a 850-watt power supply.

As the situation for the 5090, Nvidia claims that it doubles the performance of GeForce RTX 4080 of 2022.

In my opinion, the surprise of the keynote was the announcement of both the GeForce RTX 5070 and the RTX 5070 Ti, normally a model serving as a refresher of the base model.

Nevertheless, the RTX 5070 has 12GB of GDDR7, a memory bandwidth of 672 GB/sec, and 6,144 CUDA cores and meanwhile, the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti includes 16GB of GDDR7 memory, a memory bandwidth of 896GB/s, and 8,960 CUDA cores.

Being already a repetitive claim, Nvidia says that both RTX 5070 and the Ti will be 2x faster than their respective predecessors and yes, lest talk about power consumption with the RTX 5070 Ti will have a total graphics power of 300 watts and require a 750-watt PSU, while the RTX 5070 has a total graphics power of 250 watts and only needs a 650-watt PSU.

All mentioned GPU cards will have a Founders Edition and expect Nvidia’s partner to have their own designs.

MSRP prices for the Founder editions goes as follow:

  • RTX GeForce 5090 – $1999
  • RTX GeForce 5080 – $999
  • RTX GeForce 5070 Ti – $759
  • RTX GeForce 5070 – $549

Nvidia confirmed a January 30th release for each individual Founders Edition, meanwhile partner’s variants availability were not immediately shared.

About the novelties of Blackwell architecture

The Blackwell architecture enabled Nvidia to have the hardware foundation for the next generation of it solution for AI based graphical upscaler, the DLSS 4, improving massively on ray tracing processing and Multi Frame Generation, which generates up to three additional frames per traditional frame and can multiply frame rates.

DLSS 4 also includes a real-time application of transformers to improve image quality, reduce ghosting, and add higher detail in motion a big differential with today’s AMD announcement on FSR 4, Nvidia opted to have DLSS 4 available for 2022’s Lovelace architecture.

Also, Nvidia demoed what they call RTX Neural Shaders, RTX Neural Faces, text to animation and starting with the first one, the job of the RTX Neural Shaders is to compress textures in games, while RTX Neural Faces aim to improve face quality using generative AI.

RTX 50 for gaming Laptops

Nvidia also confirmed that the mobile version of the RTX GeForce 50 family are coming this year for gaming laptop and includes the the RTX 5090 laptop GPU debuting with 24GB of GDDR7 memory. The RTX 5080 laptop GPU will ship with 16GB of GDDR7 memory, the RTX 5070 Ti with 12GB of GDDR7 memory, and the RTX 5070 with just 8GB of GDDR7 memory. 

We should be hearing announcement soon and releases as early as March 2025.

Breaking, CES 2025, Events, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC, Technology

AMD announces Radeon 9070 family along with FSR 4

One of the main thing that gamers were expecting of the AMD turn at the stage of CES 2025 was the future of Radeon and yes, RDNA 4 is official, yes, there is a new family with two members of Radeon in the name of Radeon 9070, YES FSR 4 also official but….NO…. AMD will hold specs and details.

More precisely, what it is included and the improvements that the RDNA 4 architecture is bringing for both Radeon 9790 and Radeon 9070 XT which probably are targeting 1440P resolution, will not be disclosed at this time, despite the GPUs are slated for a Q1 2025 release.

A reminder: AMD said that it was no longer interested in high-end GPU part of the market which means that proer 4K solutions aren’t on schedule this time.

So consider yourself a honorary gamer if you happens to be at Las Vegas this week, as AMD will have some PC with prototypes.

It was only confirmed that Asus, Acer, Sapphire, XFX, AsRock, Gigabyte, PowerColor and two Asian brands will have their respective GPU on sale soon and pretty much giving the tip that AMD will probably forego a Foundation or Reference GPU for public.

What it was said about RDNA 4 is that improves ray-tracing engine and performance, an upgraded media encoding quality.

Physically, all Radeon 9070/9070 XT GPU cards will be manufactured with 4nm process, which tells you the good balance of processing and energy consumption and the hardware will include its second-generation AI accelerators, third-generation ray-tracing accelerators, and second-generation radiance display engine.

Before you ask, no it is not for “bad luck or anything that you might have heard before, but AMD said that jumping from 7000 straight to 9000 for Radeon series labeling was needed because future mobile Radeon announcements will have the 8000 labelling, including RDNA 3.5.

Here comes a new challenger for AI-based upscaling -FidelityFX Super Resolution 4

AMD confirmed the new geneeration of FidelityFX Super Resolution at its fourth version or simply FSR 4, which a machine learning-powered update to AMD’s upscaling and frame-generation technology that’s been developed specifically for RDNA 4 and its dedicated AI accelerator hardware.

Of course, this could be a proper consideration for new PC builds or if you are in plans of upgrading as FSR 4 will be available only with a Radeon RX 9070 family GPU graphics as most of its functionality, depends on components on the hardware side.

Microsoft confirmed that a future update of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 will have direct support to FSR 4 and also, Matt Booty of Xbox, shared that Microsoft remains committed on being a partner with AMD for their needs for Xbox (I will take it as a hint for the future of Xbox hardware).

Finally, AMD announced improvements to its Adrenalin, the Radeon software administrator and these improvements includes include the ability to generate images with AI models, summarize local documents, and ask an AMD chatbot questions about graphics settings and more. 

CES 2025, Events, Featured, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News

HDMI 2.2 officially announced at CES 2025

In what it was expected to be incoming, were are at the dawn on what its next for HDMI and the HMDI Forum has officially unveil the standard for HDMI 2.2 at CES 2025 and what could monitors and electronic should be capable off with the new advancements.

The new HDMI 2.2 standard offers significantly higher bandwidth and faster data transfer speeds compared to its predecessors, with HDMI 2.2 devices supporting data transfer speeds of up to 96Gbps, double the speed of HDMI 2.1b, and can handle resolutions up to 12K at 120 frames per second.

But of course, the gaming community’s interest on the new standard of HDMI 2.2 should be enlisted as follows:

  • Higher Resolutions and Refresh Rates: HDMI 2.2 can support resolutions up to 12K and refresh rates up to 120Hz, providing incredibly sharp and smooth visuals for gaming.
  • Lower Latency: The new Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) helps synchronize audio and video signals, reducing input lag and improving overall gaming responsiveness.
  • Enhanced Audio: HDMI 2.2 includes an improved Audio Return Channel (eARC), allowing for high-quality audio transmission, which is crucial for immersive gaming experiences.
  • Future-Proofing: With its higher bandwidth, HDMI 2.2 is designed to support future gaming technologies and content, ensuring compatibility with upcoming advancements in gaming hardware and software.

While HDMI 2.2 devices are expected to become available later this year, it may take some time for consumer media and devices to fully support the new standard. The new cables required for HDMI 2.2 will be labeled with an “Ultra96” marker to indicate their compatibility.

Breaking, Business, Featured, Gaming, News

Tango Gameworks confirms its return under Krafton

The new year 2025 will be big for the future of once Xbox Game Studios and now, a Krafton (PUBG current developer) as Tango Gameworks, the creative minds behind the acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush, is officially back and seems to aim to be better than ever!

After a rollercoaster of events in 2024, the studio has been revived under new ownership by Krafton and is now known as Tango Gameworks Inc.

In August 2024, Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks following its closure by Microsoft in May. This acquisition has breathed new life into the studio, giving them a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose. The rebranding to Tango Gameworks Inc. marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

John Johanas, the creative director, couldn’t contain his excitement about the studio’s rebirth. He called this moment “truly a new start” and emphasized the team’s dedication to creating games that bring joy and excitement to players worldwide.

Looking Ahead

Krafton is committed to maintaining the legacy of Tango Gameworks and has big plans for the future. They have expressed a strong interest in continuing development on the Hi-Fi Rush IP, with a sequel already in the works. This commitment to preserving and expanding the studio’s creative vision is a promising sign for fans.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this revival is the rehiring of many staff members who were laid off by Microsoft. Tango Gameworks Inc. is not only rebuilding its team but also looking to expand, bringing in fresh talent to contribute to their future projects.

Breaking, Featured, Games, Gaming, News

Capcom finally makes the move and here comes Onimusha: Way of the Sword

After an 18-year hiatus, Capcom’s beloved samurai series, Onimusha, is making a grand comeback with Onimusha: Way of the Sword. This thrilling announcement was made during The Game Awards 2024, sending waves of excitement through the gaming community.

The reveal of Onimusha: Way of the Sword at The Game Awards 2024 marks the franchise’s first new game since 2006. The teaser trailer showcased a lone samurai wielding the iconic Oni Gauntlet, engaging in intense sword fights with supernatural creatures.

The trailer hinted at a dark and twisted rendition of Edo-era Kyoto, shrouded in malevolent clouds of Malice.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword features full 3D combat, drawing inspiration from modern action games while retaining the series’ signature elements. Players can expect to absorb souls from defeated enemies, face off against challenging bosses, and experience fluid and dynamic combat.

The visuals have received a dramatic upgrade, bringing the game into the modern gaming era.

The new Onimusha game is being developed by Capcom, with a talented team dedicated to bringing the series back to life. The game is set to release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

This collaboration promises to deliver a game that honors the legacy of the original Onimusha games while introducing new elements to captivate both old and new players.

A Legacy of Art and Adventure

Originally released in 2001, Onimusha: Warlords captivated players with its blend of action, adventure, and Japanese folklore. The game’s innovative gameplay and stunning visuals earned it critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Now, with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Capcom aims to build upon this legacy, offering a fresh yet familiar experience for fans of the series.

While specific details about Onimusha: Way of the Sword are still under wraps, fans can look forward to more information being revealed in.

Featured, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Naughty Dog What’s next – Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Naughty Dog, the acclaimed studio behind The Last of Us and Uncharted series, has officially announced their latest project: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This new sci-fi adventure game was revealed during The Game Awards 2024, and it promises to be Naughty Dog’s most ambitious and creative story yet.

During The Game Awards 2024, Naughty Dog unveiled a captivating teaser trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The trailer introduced the game’s protagonist, Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter stranded on the enigmatic planet of Sempiria.

The planet, which has been cut off from the outside universe for hundreds of years, presents a host of challenges and mysteries for players to unravel.

Jordan A. Mun, portrayed by actress Tati Gabrielle, is a skilled bounty hunter on a mission that seems deeply personal. Stranded on Sempiria, she must use all her skills and wits to survive and become the first person in over 600 years to leave the planet’s orbit. The character-driven narrative promises to deliver an emotional and epic journey, staying true to Naughty Dog’s storytelling prowess.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is being developed exclusively for the PlayStation 5. The game has been in development since 2020, following the release of The Last of Us Part II.

Naughty Dog has assembled a stellar cast and crew for this project, including the talented Tati Gabrielle and renowned composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who are scoring the game’s soundtrack.

A Legacy of Innovation

Naughty Dog has a rich history of creating groundbreaking games that push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay. With Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio aims to blend its signature narrative depth with innovative gameplay mechanics.

The game draws inspiration from seminal sci-fi works such as Akira and Cowboy Bebop, promising a unique and immersive experience for players.

While specific details about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet are still under wraps, fans can look forward to more information being revealed in the coming months.

The development team is committed to delivering a game that captures the magic of Naughty Dog’s previous titles while offering new experiences and challenges for players to enjoy.

The announcement of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet has reignited excitement among Naughty Dog fans.

With a talented team of developers and a captivating new storyline, the future of Naughty Dog looks brighter than ever. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the studio’s games, this upcoming sci-fi adventure promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Featured, Games, Gaming

The Witcher IV: A New Saga Begins

The Witcher franchise has captivated gamers worldwide with its rich storytelling, complex characters, and immersive world. Now, CD Projekt Red is set to continue this legacy with The Witcher IV, previously known by its codename Project Polaris.

The most exciting update came during The Game Awards 2024, where CD Projekt Red unveiled the first official look at The Witcher IV. The cinematic trailer introduced Ciri as the new protagonist, taking on a witcher contract in a remote village plagued by a fearsome monster.

This reveal confirmed that Ciri would be at the heart of the new saga, exploring what it means to truly become a witcher.

In The Witcher IV, players will step into the shoes of Ciri, Geralt of Rivia’s adopted daughter. The game will follow her journey as she takes on the mantle of a witcher, facing new challenges and uncovering ancient mysteries. This shift in focus from Geralt to Ciri offers a fresh perspective and allows players to explore the world of The Witcher through her eyes.

The Witcher IV promises to be the most immersive and ambitious open-world Witcher game to date. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game will feature stunning visuals and a richly detailed world. Players can expect a blend of familiar gameplay mechanics, such as using signs and potions, along with new abilities and tools unique to Ciri.

The Announcement of Project Polaris

In 2022, CD Projekt Red announced Project Polaris, marking the beginning of a new Witcher saga. This announcement generated immense excitement among fans, eager to see what the future holds for the beloved series. The developers hinted at a fresh storyline and new characters, setting the stage for an epic adventure.

Entering Full-Scale Production

By November 2024, Project Polaris had officially entered full-scale production. This milestone was a significant step forward, with around 400 developers, or two-thirds of CD Projekt Red’s team, dedicated to bringing the game to life. The transition from pre-production to full-scale production indicated that the game was progressing well and moving closer to its eventual release.

The Witcher IV is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the franchise, with Ciri taking center stage in a new saga. As the game continues to develop, fans can look forward to more updates and a deeper dive into the world of The Witcher. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, The Witcher IV promises to deliver an unforgettable adventure filled with magic, monsters, and mystery.

Breaking, Business, Events, Featured, Games, Gaming, News

The Game Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Gaming

The Game Awards 2024 was a night to remember, filled with mesmerizing performances, exciting announcements, and well-deserved accolades.

Here’s a detailed look at the winners and highlights from this year’s event.

Game of the Year: Astro Bot

The coveted Game of the Year award went to Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi. This charming and innovative platformer captivated audiences with its engaging gameplay and stunning visuals. Astro Bot also took home awards for Best Game Direction, Best Action/Adventure Game, and Best Family Game, making it one of the biggest winners of the night.

Other Major Winners

  • Best Narrative: Metaphor: ReFantazio by Studio Zero/Atlus/Sega. This game impressed with its compelling story and rich character development.
  • Best Art Direction: Metaphor: ReFantazio. The game’s unique visual style and artistic creativity were recognized with this award.
  • Best Score and Music: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, captivated players and added depth to the gaming experience.
  • Best Performance: Melina Juergens for her role in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Her powerful portrayal of Senua resonated with both fans and critics.

Notable Announcements

The Game Awards 2024 also featured several exciting announcements and world premieres:

  • The Witcher IV: CD Projekt Red unveiled the first trailer for the next installment in the critically acclaimed RPG series. The trailer showcased Ciri as the protagonist, now a full-fledged Witcher, embarking on a new adventure.
  • Elden Ring: Nightreign: FromSoftware announced a standalone multiplayer spinoff of Elden Ring, set to launch in 2025.
  • Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: Naughty Dog revealed their upcoming dystopian space adventure game, starring Tati Gabrielle.

Also, he event was marked by special live performances from artists like Snoop Dogg, Twenty One Pilots, and Royal & the Serpent. The Game Awards Orchestra, conducted by BAFTA and Emmy-nominated composer Lorne Balfe, performed scores from the year’s Game of the Year nominees.

The Game Awards 2024 not only celebrated the best in gaming but also highlighted the industry’s resilience and creativity. The event acknowledged the unprecedented layoffs in the gaming industry and awarded Amir Satvat the first-ever Game Changer Award for his commitment to helping laid-off developers find new work.

The Game Awards 2024 was a testament to the incredible talent and innovation within the gaming industry. From Astro Bot’s multiple wins to the exciting announcements of upcoming games, the event showcased the best of what gaming has to offer. As we look forward to the future, it’s clear that the gaming industry will continue to push boundaries and deliver unforgettable experiences.

Business, Featured, Games, Gaming, News

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – Final Season and New Offline Mode

In a significant update from Rocksteady Studios, the developers have announced that the current season of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be its last. This decision marks a pivotal moment for the game, which has been a part of the DC gaming universe.

The final episode of Season 4 is scheduled to be released in January 2025. After this release, there will be no new seasonal content added to the game. This move signifies the end of ongoing updates and additions that players have come to expect over the past seasons. While this may be disappointing for some fans, it allows the developers to focus on maintaining and improving the core game experience.

In addition to wrapping up seasonal content, Rocksteady Studios is introducing a long-promised offline mode for the game. This mode is set to be launched this week, providing players with the ability to enjoy the game without needing a constant internet connection.

The offline mode will enable access to the main story campaign and all post-launch seasonal gameplay content, ensuring that players can continue their adventures in Metropolis even if they are not connected online.

Impact on Players

The announcement of the game’s final season and the introduction of the offline mode have several implications for the player community:

  • Continued Access: Players will still have access to all the content that has been released up to the end of Season 4. This includes all characters, missions, and events that have been part of the game’s lifecycle.
  • Enhanced Flexibility: With the new offline mode, players can enjoy the game at their own pace without worrying about internet connectivity. This is especially beneficial for those who may have unstable internet connections or prefer playing offline.
  • Focus on Core Experience: By concluding seasonal updates, Rocksteady Studios can focus on refining the core gameplay experience, addressing any lingering issues, and ensuring the game remains enjoyable for its existing player base.

Community Reaction

The response from the community has been mixed. While some players are saddened by the end of new seasonal content, others appreciate the introduction of the offline mode and the continued support for the game’s existing features. Rocksteady Studios has expressed gratitude to the players for their support and engagement over the game’s lifecycle.

The decision to end seasonal updates for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League marks the end of an era for the game. However, the introduction of the offline mode and the continued availability of all existing content ensures that players can still enjoy the game for years to come.

This move allows Rocksteady Studios to refocus their efforts and maintain the quality of the game, keeping the spirit of the Suicide Squad alive in the hearts of its fans.